Local Straw Prices?

Just wondering what local straw prices are around the country. Here in Massachusetts (where we get ripped off for everything else), I paid $8 per bale for 10 bales in the fall.

I use the straw to cover my strawberry patch, and I would like to grow a lot more, but with the price of straw, I am not sure if I can afford the mulch for the winter!

Thanks,

~Jimdawg

Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:08 pm

I can get a bale of feed hay for $4.00.

I'm not sure what wheat straw brings per bale.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:35 pm

The farmer I work for just paid $150 a ton for a trailer load.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:13 pm

Cub-Bud wrote:I can get a bale of feed hay for $4.00.

I'm not sure what wheat straw brings per bale.

Feed hay is anywhere from 4-6 depending on cutting, quality, and quantity. I only use straw on the plans because I don't want to introduce any more weeds into the garden...

Maybe there is another option?

~ Jimdawg

Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:17 pm

1cubmaster wrote:The farmer I work for just paid $150 a ton for a trailer load.

I wonder how much a ton of wheat goes for? This might be an example of a 'waste product' having more value than the main crop...

~Jimdawg

Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:44 pm

Wheat straw sells for $3 to $4.50 a bale right now. It's about a dollar a bale higher than it was last year.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:16 pm

Price of straw depends on area. In this area there is no wheat grown, and straw has to be hauled in. Some garden stores are paying 5 to 6 per bale for good clean straw right now.

Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:56 pm

Jimdawg,

I don't follow the price of straw now, so I can't help you there. As for the strawberry mulch, by all means use wheat straw. There are far fewer weed seeds in wheat straw, something you will really appreciate.

Bill

Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:56 am

Bill (TAMU '78) wrote:Jimdawg,

I don't follow the price of straw now, so I can't help you there. As for the strawberry mulch, by all means use wheat straw. There are far fewer weed seeds in wheat straw, something you will really appreciate.

Bill

Absolutely, wheat straw is what I used this year. I was pleased with the product, but I just about dropped when I heard the price. If I multiply the strawberry patch by 3-5x, I'll need about $300 of straw a year.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:17 am

$3.50 plus tax in Cumberland Md. Grump

Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:49 pm

In the north east corridor everything brings more money that is a hobby. With the great expansion of homes and influx of people. There are a ton of little garden shops and nurseries opening up. the demand is high so the price for clean straw is high. In my area we lose on average of 4 farms a year lost to big sod operations. More money in growing grass then corn. Also straw is bringing more money then the wheat. Just like veal calves bring more money then the milk.

Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:08 pm

smigelski wrote:In the north east corridor everything brings more money that is a hobby. With the great expansion of homes and influx of people. There are a ton of little garden shops and nurseries opening up. the demand is high so the price for clean straw is high. In my area we lose on average of 4 farms a year lost to big sod operations. More money in growing grass then corn. Also straw is bringing more money then the wheat. Just like veal calves bring more money then the milk.

Before milk prices bombed in the mid 80's my father was a dairy farmer, and his father was a dairy farmer, and his.....

Now I buy milk at a gas station for 2.99. And if you buy a pound of bacon, they'll throw in a dozen eggs free.

Maybe next year I'll make a drive to NY or PA with a truck and trailer for straw and some "cub stuff".

Sun Jan 27, 2008 9:58 am

In New Holland every week there is an auction where hay, straw, and animals are sold. You pay by the ton there. I sold some straw to a landscaper this year for $3.00 a bale. It wasn't totally clean. He needed it and there was the typical shortage. Alot of straw ends up in the big square bales and goes to the mushroom farms. If you are going to make any passes through south Jersey for cub stuff, let me know and I will see if I can get you straw cheaper.

Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:19 pm

smigelski wrote:In New Holland every week there is an auction where hay, straw, and animals are sold. You pay by the ton there. I sold some straw to a landscaper this year for $3.00 a bale. It wasn't totally clean. He needed it and there was the typical shortage. Alot of straw ends up in the big square bales and goes to the mushroom farms. If you are going to make any passes through south Jersey for cub stuff, let me know and I will see if I can get you straw cheaper.